‘No other big clubs wanted him’ - Simon Jordan questions Dan Ashworth's Newcastle appointment

Simon Jordan cannot understand why Newcastle United fans are excited about the appointment of Dan Ashworth. The former Brighton chief was finally confirmed as the Magpies’ new sporting director on Monday after a compensation package was agreed.

After resigning from his role in February, Ashworth - who also served a six-year stint at the FA - was placed on gardening leave until November. Newcastle had to fork out a sizable fee to get their man in place for the summer transfer window.

The appointment has been heralded as the most important signing since the takeover by supporters. As sporting director, the ex-Seagulls supremo will be tasked with transfer dealing, instilling a club philosophy, overseeing the academy and growing the women’s team.

However, former Crystal Palace owner Jordan believes the adulation towards Ashworth is unwarranted and questioned why no other “big clubs” wanted him - despite links with a role at Manchester United before landing the Toon job.

“He’s not turning water into wine,” Jordan told talkSPORT. “He will have the financial support to develop the opportunities to meet the exceptions, which we are yet to determine of these owners. Ashworth comes with a reputation; some of it is well-earned and some of it is overblown.

“If you look at his involvement in the evolution at St George’s and the next generation of English footballers that have been very successful. You look at the involvement at West Brom and Brighton. You can’t look at the Brighton recruitment policy and say ‘they aren’t very good’ because they are very good.

“If we are to believe that Newcastle are going to ‘rip it up’, then he has the most ideal and challenging of jobs. None of the other big clubs wanted him. Man United didn’t